Research Project Director

Ugajobsearch; Athens (GA); On-site; USD 55,000 - 83,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Georgia is seeking a Research Project Director in Athens, GA, to lead a statewide initiative for standardized assessment of IDD waiver services. This senior role oversees staff, budgets, and collaborations with state agencies and partners, directing research, evaluation, and program improvements.

The position emphasizes grant-funded, high-impact work, with responsibilities spanning leadership, reporting, training, and development of future funding opportunities.

Qualifications

• Terminal degree required; 5+ years of post-degree professional experience preferred.
• Demonstrated expertise in applied research, program evaluation, and leadership of multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for the statewide initiative.
• Supervise professional project staff and manage budgets and resources.
• Liaise with state leadership and external partners to guide assessment, implementation, and quality improvement.
• Develop reports, proposals, and scholarly products; identify future funding opportunities.

Skills

Applied research

Program evaluation

Project leadership

Budget management

Communicating with stakeholders

Education

Terminal degree in a relative discipline

Doctoral degree in social sciences

Job description

Research Project Director

Below you will find the details for the position including any supplementary documentation and questions you should review before applying for the opening.

Posting Details

Posting Number S15877P

Working Title Research Project Director

Department FACS-Ralston Institute

About the University of Georgia Chartered by the state of Georgia in 1785, the University of Georgia is the birthplace of public higher education in America and is the state’s flagship university ( https://www.uga.edu/ ). The proof is in our more than 240 years of academic and professional achievements and our continual commitment to higher education. UGA is currently ranked among the top 20 public universities in U.S. News & World Report. The University’s main campus is located in Athens, approximately 65 miles northeast of Atlanta, with extended campuses in Atlanta, Griffin, Gwinnett, and Tifton. UGA employs approximately 3,200 faculty and more than 7,900 full‑time staff. The University’s enrollment exceeds 44,000 students including over 33,000 undergraduates and over 11,000 graduate and professional students. Academic programs reside in 20 schools and colleges, including the newly established School of Medicine and the Victoria Kay Investor School of Nursing.

Posting Type External Retirement Plan TRS or ORP Employment Type Employee Benefits Eligibility Benefits Eligible Full/Part time Full Time Work Schedule Additional Schedule Information Monday-Friday, 8am-5pm Advertised Salary $55,006 - $82,509 Posting Date 10/08/2026 Open until filled Yes Closing Date Proposed Starting Date 12/01/2026 Special Instructions to Applicants Location of Vacancy Athens Area EEO Policy Statement The University of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or veteran status or other protected status. Persons needing accommodations or assistance with the accessibility of materials related to this search are encouraged to contact Central HR ( [e-mail] ). USG Core Values Statement The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning, as well the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 08.02.18.01.02 . Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 06.05 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom . Position Information Classification Title Res Assc-Social Science IV FLSA Exempt FTE 1.00 Minimum Qualifications Terminal degree in a relative discipline and 8 years of professional experience to include 5 years of formal post‑degree work. Preferred Qualifications Doctoral degree in the social sciences or related field, or an equivalent combination of advanced education and experience coordinating research projects. Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and collaborating with university, state agency, and community partners.

Preferred Qualifications

• Doctoral degree in the social sciences or related field, or an equivalent combination of advanced education and experience coordinating research projects.


• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams and collaborating with university, state agency, and community partners.

Position Summary

This position serves as the Research Project Director and recognized subject matter expert for a statewide initiative to implement, pilot test, evaluate, and demonstrate a standardized assessment process for individuals seeking intellectual and developmental disability (IDD) waiver services. The Research Project Director has primary responsibility for the strategic and operational leadership of the initiative, including supervising professional project staff; managing project resources and budgets; directing implementation, research and evaluation, stakeholder engagement, training, and quality assurance activities; and exercising broad authority to establish project priorities and resolve programmatic and implementation issues. This individual serves as the primary programmatic liaison with state leadership and external partners and provides expert guidance on assessment, implementation, evaluation, and continuous quality improvement related to IDD waiver access. The Research Project Director also leads the development of reports, presentations, funding proposals, and other scholarly and technical products and has primary responsibility for identifying and developing future funding opportunities that support the continuation and expansion of this work.

This position is grant funded and expected to end one year after the hire date of the employee. The position may be extended beyond the initial term, contingent upon continued funding.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities and/or Competencies

• Demonstrated expertise in applied research, program evaluation, and project leadership, including the ability to independently direct complex, multi‑faced research, evaluation, and implementation initiatives and establish programmatic priorities.


• Advanced knowledge of research and program evaluation methodologies and demonstrated subject matter expertise relevant to intellectual and developmental disabilities, assessment, service systems, or related areas, with the ability to provide expert guidance to project staff, state agencies, and external partners.


• Demonstrated leadership and supervisory skills, including the ability to direct and evaluate the work of professional staff, assign responsibilities, establish performance expectations, manage competing priorities, and ensure successful completion of project milestones and deliverables.


• Demonstrated ability to manage project budgets and resources, contribute to strategic and sustainability planning, and lead the development of proposals and other funding opportunities supporting research, evaluation, and programmatic initiatives.


• Strong written, verbal, analytical, and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to represent the project with state leadership and various stakeholders; exercise independent judgment in resolving complex programmatic issues; analyze and interpret qualitative and quantitative data; and communicate findings and recommendations to technical, policy, and non‑technical audiences.

Physical Demands

• Normal work environment.


• Lift up to 10lbs.

Other Information

Is driving a responsibility of this position? No

Is this a Position of Trust? No

Does this position have operation, access, or control of financial resources? No

Does this position require a P-Card? No

Is having a P-Card an essential function of this position? No

Does this position have direct interaction or care of children under the age of 18 or direct patient care? No

Does this position have Security Access (e.g., public safety, IT security, personnel records, patient records, or access to chemicals and medications) No

Credit and P-Card policy Be advised a credit check will be required for all positions with financial responsibilities. For additional information about the credit check criteria, visit the UGA Credit Background Check website.

Background Investigation Policy Offers of employment are contingent upon completion of a background investigation including, a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with the University of Georgia; confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials (including reference checks) as they relate to the job-based requirements of the position applied for; and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. You may also be subject to a pre-employment drug test for positions with high-risk responsibilities, if applicable. Please visit the UGA Background Check website.

Duties/Responsibilities

Project Leadership, Implementation, and Evaluation

• Provide strategic and operational leadership for complex research, evaluation, implementation, and technical assistance activities associated with the statewide initiative.


• Establish project priorities and direct activities across implementation planning, pilot testing, statewide demonstration, data collection, training, evaluation, and quality assurance.


• Supervise professional project staff, including assigning responsibilities, establishing performance expectations, monitoring work, providing guidance, and ensuring successful completion of project activities and deliverables.


• Exercise independent judgment and broad programmatic authority to identify and resolve complex implementation, research, and operational issues.


• Direct collaboration with state agencies, project partners, and other stakeholders to design, implement, evaluate, and continuously improve the statewide assessment process.


• Monitor project performance, timelines, milestones, and deliverables and make programmatic adjustments necessary to achieve project objectives.

Percentage of time 40

Research, Evaluation, and Subject Matter Expertise

• Serve as a subject matter expert in applied research, program evaluation, assessment, and implementation activities related to IDD services and waiver access.


• Direct the design and implementation of qualitative and quantitative research and evaluation activities, including development of surveys, interview guides, focus group protocols, needs assessments, and other data collection measures.


• Provide methodological leadership and oversight for data collection, management, analysis, interpretation, and reporting, including work involving large and complex quantitative and qualitative datasets.


• Synthesize research evidence, evaluation findings, stakeholder input, and implementation data to guide programmatic decisions and provide recommendations to state leadership and project partners.


• Lead development of research reports, evaluation summaries, scientific manuscripts, presentations, technical guidance, and other products that communicate project findings and recommendations.

Percentage of time 20

Stakeholder Engagement, Training, and Quality Improvement

• Serve as the primary programmatic and operational liaison with state leadership, project partners, and other stakeholders and represent the project in high‑level meetings and statewide implementation activities.


• Provide expert consultation and guidance to state agencies, project staff, and external partners regarding assessment, implementation, evaluation, training, and continuous quality improvement.


• Direct the development and implementation of statewide training, technical assistance, implementation guidance, and other resources necessary to support consistent and well‑thought implementation of the assessment process.


• Lead collaboration among professional staff, state agencies, and external partners to address implementation challenges and advance project objectives.


• Establish and oversee quality assurance and continuous quality improvement processes, including monitoring implementation fidelity and evaluation findings and exercising authority to recommend and implement programmatic refinements.

Percentage of time 20

Strategic, Fiscal, and Administrative Leadership

• Provide administrative and fiscal leadership for project operations, including management of project budgets and resources, monitoring expenditures, and ensuring resources are aligned with project priorities and sponsor requirements.


• Lead the identification and development of new funding opportunities, including primary responsibility for proposal development, project conceptualization, partnership cultivation, scope development, and coordination of proposal submissions.


• Direct strategic planning for the sustainability, expansion, and dissemination of project activities and develop future research, evaluation, and programmatic initiatives.


• Represent the project and the Ralston Institute with state agencies, funding organizations, professional groups, conferences, and other external stakeholders.


• Ensure project operations comply with sponsor, institutional, research, and administrative requirements and exercise independent judgment in addressing operational or programmatic issues requiring corrective action.

Percentage of time 20

Contact Information

Recruitment Contact Name: Orion Mowbray

Recruitment Contact Email: [e-mail]

Recruitment Contact Phone

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*)

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

• Resume/CV


• Cover Letter


• List of References with Contact Information

Optional Documents